sunset from behind the wire

Sunday, April 30, 2017

The message of today's Sunday Sermonette is that you don't need to take guff from children. That goes double for prophets like Elisha:

2 Kings 23-24 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tear forty and two children of them.

My take away from this is that those children were metaphorical antecedents of the students that we see protesting about nothing on college campuses today - or that occupy Wall Street. Note to self: We need more bears.

May Day (tomorrow)

What are you doing tomorrow for May Day? There are the myriad of pagan rituals involving may poles and other events designed to spur human reproduction. If one is going to spend the day frivolously, it's important to find the right sort of gathering. And if you are going to engage in reproductive activities or even to practice for the event, today is your day!

It's also International Worker's Day, celebrating the few communist hell holes that still exist here and there around the world, vast gulags for the various unfortunate, starving, populations. (In the late 19th century, May Day was chosen as the date for International Workers' Day by communists)

Perhaps the best way to celebrate International Worker's Day is sell what you have, buy an airplane ticket to North Korea and join in the struggle with the locals there. There just aren't that many communist dictatorships left in the world. I'm sure that they can find something for you to do, even though you'll be suspected of being a spy. If nothing else, you'll be shot and they'll use your body for fertilizer...your own little contribution to the advancement world communism.

100 Days In

One hundred days into President Trump’s administration, it is becoming evident that when considering his base, the president has been more successful than many would like to give him credit for.

As those of you who read this blog know, I have been a supporter of the president from the beginning. He has a lot going for him that his detractors are uncomfortable with:

He actually owned a successful business and knows what it's like to get raped by taxes and to have to meet a payroll.

Negotiations don't mean giving up your bottom line or your game plan.

You hire the right people (such as SECSTATE Tillerson and SECDEF Mattis) and let them do what you hired them to do with minimal interference. The Trump cabinet is not made up of political hacks who made their reputations by sucking up.

He takes campaign promises seriously, but understands that conditions change and you must be flexible to win - and President Trump likes to win.

President Trump ran on the promise that if elected, he would appoint federal judges who uphold the constitution and support the Second Amendment. The nomination and appointment of Justice Neil Gorsuch has accomplished just that, and will be one of President Trump’s lasting successes from his first 100 days.

White Wolf Mine Update

Some of you are following my progress in building a house high on the Mogollon Rim, above the City of Payson, AZ, which calls itself "rim country" but is sited at least 1,500 feet and ten miles below the rim.

Plans call for a window here and a window there. I have had an education in how many companies and options available for each window, window types and the doo-dads and thingywhaps.

I'm into the granularity phase of ordering specific 'components' of the custom-built shack. Some of those options are expensive. The glass wall that accordions back on itself to give you the indoor/out-door experience between the great room and the out-door covered deck (same size as the great room). Even the people at Pella Windows have suggested that La Cantina is the company to go for if you're in search of that solution.

It needs a more potent header than other types of glass door solutions because there is no load bearing support at all. It's not as secure as other options, but has the benefit of allowing you to treat the great outdoors as part of the house (the deck is about 15' above ground level).

I don't think that they will be much use during the winter. The problem with these doors is the lack of screen options...

Then there are the triple paned windows with shutter/blinds built inside of them. They're cool, but you know that if the grandkids get to the controls, they'll play with them until they break. It's what children do. Thus the guest wing of the hovel will have slightly more traditional windows that just open, close and have a regular blind or curtains.

However, let me assure you that the companies that offer these solutions are VERY PROUD of those doors and are thrilled to charge you accordingly. These window showrooms are located in Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Scottsdale and in San Diego's Gas Lamp District. I know who pays for the address.

Housekeeping

As of January 1, 2017 this blog began to receive anonymous posts. I try not to delete them, but if you want to be taken seriously here, you need to identify yourself, if only by some sort of cryptonym.

Welcome to Virtual Mirage

"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.

"Oh, you can't help that," said the cat. "We're all mad here. I'm mad, you're mad."

"How do you know I'm mad," asked Alice?

"You must be," said the cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."

Good Morning

Virtual Mirage - What's on the other side of the mirror? Ask Alice how deep the rabbit hole really goes.

This blog is an extension of MY JOURNEY because sometimes my journey needs more explanation, and sometimes there is more to be said than can be expressed on one ordinary blog.

Sometimes it's politics (very serious), sometimes I address the human condition with a dose of humor, and other times it may seem as if the track is headed in a unique direction. I can be a complicated guy at times.

There are a few things you'll find I consider:

* Absence of proof is not proof of absence.

* Sometimes the questions are complex but the answers are simple.

* Love is the only condition where the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

* Steers do not sign treaties with meat packers. (think on that)

* Taxes are NEVER levied for the benefit of the taxed.

* The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no victory possible in defense.

WHITE POWDER (Novel)

There is something intoxicating about a secret.

THE OLD WHORE (NOVEL)

In the peculiar culture of the Central Intelligence Agency, "old whores" are people who will do whatever it takes to get the job done, irrespective of the cost.

EXILES FROM EDEN (NOVEL)

Sparks fly as two star-crossed lovers meet. He runs toward trouble as she yearns for something missing. And it ends in a flight from and toward justice.

About Me

Today, I balance work and play as much as anyone can. All things remaining equal, play is more important. Life is short - it's important to make every day count for something, if only to yourself.
I'm a former tinker/tailor/soldier/sailor who has now decided that maybe it really wasn't all done for nothing.

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